YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANSWERS.
Planning your visit to Escape Artistry is not a puzzle. We collected the most frequently asked questions about our escape rooms and provided answers to them here. Have a question you can't find here? Please contact us!
WE'VE GONE PRIVATE
All escape room sessions are private by default right now. That means that regardless of the number of tickets you purchase, your game will include only your party.
Private sessions are also very popular for team-building groups, school field trips, birthday parties, and family gatherings.
Please note that the maximum number of tickets for a private group varies depending on the size of the room. If you are looking to book a private party for more than 10 guests, please call the box office for more information.
GAME SESSION MINIMUM
All Time Gallery rooms have a minimum operating cost of $99 per session. If you plan to come in a party of two, you should expect to receive a call or e-mail for our specialist who is guide you through your options. They are:
- Remain as a party of two and pay the difference.
- Invite a third player to meet the minimum.
- Be placed in a session with other players.
You can contact the box office at regular business hours if you have any questions.
Good luck Time Agents!
Frequently Asked Questions
Four of our adventures are now available online: Operation G.R.A.N.I.E., The Dollhouse, Duck and Cover Classroom, and Detective vs. Dillinger.
Our virtual experiences replicate their original games. We have a small, on-site team to help guide you through the escape, including a camera operator and jumpsuit-clad host. This host will act as your hands as you navigate the room, helping crack each puzzle and, hopefully, escape!
We use Zoom as our virtual platform. After your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a follow-up email containing your ticket to virtual time travel: a Zoom link!
Read this post for more information.
We recommend purchasing your tickets by clicking the button at the top of this page. However, if you prefer to book tickets over the phone, you may call the Escape Artistry Box Office at 773-789-9535 during business hours (10am – 5pm CST) and we will be happy to assist you.
You and a group of friends or like-minded individuals enter a new environment together. The group is given 60 min to work together, find the clues, solve the riddle, get the key, and escape.
You will need to register your tickets one at a time to redeem multiple codes. The process to redeem a discount code or voucher is listed in 4 easy steps below:
- Click the ‘Book Now’ button at the top of this page and select the experience you want to get tickets for.
- Choose the number of tickets you are buying, the session time and date, and provide the requested contact information. Click the green continue button. On the Checkout page you will see a summary of your order.
- If you have a code, click "Have a code?" link and enter your case-sensitive code in the text box. Click the green "Apply Code" button. You will see that the code is applied to your order.
- Continue with reservation as normal.
YES! All of these places are in easy walking distance of ‘The Railcar’ and ‘The Time Gallery’:
EATS near The Time Gallery
- Big and Littles (Good Food Good Vibes):
Tacos, Sandwiches, Burgers, Fries, Drinks all served with GREAT vibes - Antique Taco (Fun, Fancy, Tacos.)
- Umami Burger (Burger Bar):
A little further of a walk then our other recommendations but mmmmmmm their burger is our favorite. Vegetarian options are available as well. Full bar. - Taste of Lebanon (Falafel and Grill):
Lovely lentils, tasty tabbouleh, fantastic falafel, and yes, you should also get the waffle fries - Emporium 28 Draft Beers, 47 Arcade Games, 11 Pinball Machines, outside food welcome.
EATS near The Railcar
- Furious Spoon (Ramen):
Delicious Ramen set to the sounds of 80’s and 90’s hip hop. (They will not turn down the music). Want a quieter space for Ramen? Try Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya - Dimos (Pizza and Beer):
Enjoy a super creative slice of pizza and/or select your own sassy salads, beer, and other beverages. Want something a little more sports bar? Try Piece Pizza around the corner. - Bru (Café & Private Room):
Café with great art on the walls. Delicious crepes, salads, sandwiches, raw juice, smoothies, coffee, and tea. Bru has a private room to rent in the back. - Doves (Comfort Food):
Locally sourced comfort food. Great for Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner. Rather have tacos? Big Star is next door (and owned by the same management). - Cafe Robey offers Midwest fine dining with seasonal inspiration. They offer brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails daily.
- Want to get out of the hotel? Try Violet Hour a hip speakeasy just down the street.
- If you really want the very best meal in Wicker Park go to Schwa if you've got the time for a coursed meal, the dollars, and can get a reservation. Bring a bottle of bourbon for the kitchen and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
SHOP local
*We don’t currently offer souvenirs but these places would be great to pick up something special to remember your adventure
- Secret Agent Supply Co (Shop in the front, Social Change in the back)
Buy all your spy supplies (gizmos, disguises) and support local literacy programs!
- Transit Tees (Chicago EVERYTHING)
All sorts of Chicago themed goodies.
SPEND THE NIGHT
Want to stay in Wicker Park? Support another woman-owned local business and stay at a hip, urban, boutique bed, and breakfast - The Wicker Park Inn. Or check out rooms at The Robey. They have an on-site pool, restaurants, bars with great views of the Chicago skyline, and conference spaces.
Great question! Your mission specialist will have some tips and tricks for you on-site. But if you're looking for a little extra preparedness...
You will be most likely to escape if you remember two things:
- Communication is key. Make sure that you're sharing your thoughts out loud and telling everyone else in your group what you find, even if it seems insignificant. If it seems odd, it probably is, and someone else may have see something familiar!
- Look around, touch things, and move things. You'll want to spend the first 5-10 minutes just looking around the room - on top of things, inside things, behind things.
These rooms are hard. The first time you play, it's going to take you a little time to acclimate to the room. If you struggle and/or do not escape, DON'T BE DISCOURAGED! The next time you play you'll be able to hit the ground running.
Studio 350: Includes The Railcar
Room 350 in the Flatiron Arts Building. Yes, there is a train in there, we promise. Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
1579 North Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60622, Third Floor (room 350).
The Time Gallery: Includes Operation G.R.A.N.I.E., The Dollhouse, Duck & Cover Classroom, Detective vs. Dillinger, and Roaring Dan’s Pirate Dungeon
2nd floor of 1342 North Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60622 Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
The two locations are approximately an 8 minute walk from one another along Milwaukee Avenue.
Station 350: The Railcar
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 10 travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 15 travelers
Time Gallery: Roaring Dan's Pirate Dungeon
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 8 time travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 10 time travelers
Time Gallery: Duck & Cover Classroom
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 8 time travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 10 time travelers
Time Gallery: The Dollhouse
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 8 time travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 10 time travelers
Time Gallery: Operation G.R.A.N.I.E.
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 10 time travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 12 time travelers
Time Gallery: Detective vs. Dillinger
- General Admission escapes can accommodate up to 10 time travelers
- Private Parties can accommodate up to 15 time travelers
Please Note: If only two people book tickets for an escape adventure at the Time Gallery, and no other tickets have been sold, those two guests have the option to play as a group of two for a $33 fee or transfer their tickets to a session with other guests. You may experience an adventure with people you do not know if you do not arrange for a private event. However, all participants work toward the same goal of escaping together
Anyone under the age of 18 must have a release waiver signed by their parent or guardian in advance.
Junior Sherlocks age 16 years or younger must be accompanied by a paying adult (one adult per four kids). A minimum of two adults must accompany and stay on site with groups of youth (including birthday parties) under the age of 18. Please keep in mind that the puzzles are designed to be challenging for adult groups, we do not recommend this event for children under the age of eight.
A sense of adventure. A willingness to try new things. Patience, creativity, logical problem solving skills, and a sense of humor. All the materials needed to answer the clues, riddles, and puzzles are inside the room.
DOORS WILL CLOSE AT THE EXACT TIME SHOWS START.
We highly encourage guests to arrive fifteen minutes before their game is due to start. This gives your group time to check-in, use the facilities, and store your belongings before the game.
Public Rooms: If you have booked tickets for a public room and arrive after your game is scheduled, we cannot guarantee you will be permitted to enter the room.
Private Rooms: If you have booked a private room, you are allotted a 15 minute grace period after your game is scheduled to check-in, use the facilities, store your belongings, and enter Orientation. Should your group enter Orientation 15+ minutes after your start time, we offer two late fee options:
- We will charge $15.00 + $1.00 for any minute over the 15 minute grace period
- We will take 15 minutes off your clock + 60 seconds for any additional minute over the 15 minute grace periodEx: If you enter Orientation 17 minutes late, you would either be charged $17.00, or your playing time would be reduced from 60 to 43 minutes.
There are no refunds.
We suggest planning to spend 1 ½ hours at Escape Artistry.
You should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign in, get instructions, put away personal belongings, use the restroom, etc. The group will be in the room for up to one hour if they do not escape. We suggest planning to spend another 15 minutes after the show to celebrate your triumphs, take photos, and collect your personal items.
Yes, but please keep in mind we cannot allow obviously intoxicated guests into the rooms. No refund will be issued if guests are not allowed to enter the room because they arrive intoxicated. We suggest you start your party off with our event. It’s a great way for groups to break the ice, or learn something new about old friends.
Yes, if this is a birthday event for a group of youth (18 or younger), please know that a minimum of two adults must accompany the group. Please see information in ‘How Old do Guests Have to Be?’ for additional details.
Repeat guests are only allowed to return as guests if they are with a private party. We do not want anyone to spoil any puzzles for first time guests!
Yes. However, please keep in mind we are located in historic Chicago buildings and electric scooters larger than a standard wheel chair may be a tight squeeze in certain hallways in the building.
Please know that the main entrance of the Time Gallery is stairs only. Please call the box office when you arrive, and a staff member will meet you at the accessible entrance on Hermitage Ave.
Yes. We suggest pregnant guests know the following information before choosing to buy a ticket:
- There is no bathroom inside the escape room (there is one nearby, however).
- If there is an emergency, you may still exit the room before the time is over.
- The room is climate-controlled, but may feel hot depending on the amount of bodies in the space.
- There is space to sit down inside the room.
- This kind of event can cause stress and anxiety in some people.
- We are totally happy to have you name your baby after us.
Yes. Printed materials and audio materials are available whenever possible. For any questions about accessibility please do not hesitate to email boxoffice@escape-artistry.com or call the box office at 773-789-9635 during office hours.
We are available to answer phone inquiries and help with ticket reservations from 10am – 5pm CST.
Escape Artistry Box Office: 773-789-9535
Tickets are made available three months before the show date (e.g. Tickets for an April 5th escape adventure would be made available January 5th). If you wish to make a reservation more than three months in advance, please e-mail us at boxoffice@escape-artistry.com.
Private sessions can be scheduled anytime the room has not yet been booked for a regularly scheduled show date/time.
If your group is smaller than 10, you will need to book all 10 tickets in order to make your experience private (otherwise your event may include other adventurers). If your group is larger than 10, or you would like to reserve a private time in advance or at a time not listed on our schedule, please e-mail boxoffice@escape-artistry.com and we will be happy to work with you to create your own specialized experience.
Please note there is no way to reserve a room without purchasing tickets in advance, and scheduling a private event requires full payment for all individuals in your party at the time of the booking.
Yes. If you are unable to attend a show you can give your ticket to someone else to use in your place. We also offer gift certificates if you wish to buy a ticket as a gift without choosing a specific time and date.
Yes. There are no strobe/flashing lights used in the show. There is a TV monitor in the lobby and rooms. No images displayed on these screens or any activities are known to cause epileptic episodes. If you have specific triggers or have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail boxoffice@escape-artistry.com.
Yes. There is a way to exit the room should a claustrophobic guest need to be let out. If the claustrophobic person is comfortable on a metro car like the ones found on the Chicago EL they should be just fine in ‘The Railcar’. If the claustrophobic person is comfortable in a standard size business office with tall ceilings they may be more comfortable in the rooms at ‘The Time Gallery’.
Cell phones are not allowed in the room. We have a safe space for guests to leave their phones, bags, and personal items while they attempt to escape. There will be an opportunity to take group photos afterwards.
Yes, as long as they are accompanied by someone who can translate for them.
We require at least one member of a group to be fluent in English in order to translate all the rules. Clues and puzzles could be language-based and were designed with an audience of majority native English speakers in mind.
We highly suggest taking public transportation, biking, or walking to our location if possible. The Railcar is less than one block from the Damen Blue Line El station. The Time Gallery is one and a half blocks from the Division Blue Line El Station. The 50 Damen Bus, 72 North Ave Bus, and 56 Milwaukee Bus also run directly in front of our locations. Bike parking is available in front of both buildings. Get some physical exercise before you exercise your wits, creativity, imagination, and mind.
Don’t be fooled by the name of the neighborhood; Wicker Park is not an easy place to park an automobile.
Suggested Parking for The Railcar:
There is free street parking next to Wicker Park (the actual park the neighborhood is named after) on the same side of the street as the park. The park is on Damen, Wicker Park Ave, Schiller.
Suggested Parking for The Time Gallery:
After 6pm parking on parts of Paulina and Hermitage are free. WE DO NOT SUGGEST PARKING IN THE SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT.
The rest of the parking around Wicker Park is permit only or paid street parking. We suggest taking the first space you find, and using the Park Chicago App for convenience to extend your parking time and avoid a ticket.
For additional convenience, we recommend apps like SpotHero to help find available parking -- as an added incentive, our customers can use the code 'escape17' for $5 off your first SpotHero booking.